I Should Have Taken the Batteries Out!

When I found out what had happened, I burst out laughing.
 
A couple of weeks ago, I delivered my Productivity Breakthrough Masterclass to the Emerging Leaders group at My Sherpa, an excellent leadership development organisation run by the brilliant John Cremer—one of the finest speakers in the UK.
 
Yesterday, during our debrief, John gave me some glowing feedback. He said the session was outstanding—but added with a grin, “There’s just one thing I’d suggest for next time: take the batteries out!” That line set me off laughing all over again.
 
Let me explain…
 
One section of my masterclass focuses on Deep Work—the ability to focus without distraction on mentally demanding tasks. This level of focus leads to higher-quality output in less time and helps individuals become more creative, productive, and fulfilled. It’s a game-changer in a world full of pings, dings, and constant interruptions.
 
To illustrate how differently we all experience time, I run a simple but effective exercise. I ask everyone to stand up and silently count two minutes in their heads, sitting down when they think the time is up. Usually, people sit between 90 and 150 seconds, some early or some late.
 
But this time was different.
 
As we passed the 90-second mark, no one sat down. At 1 minute 50, there was still nothing. Then, exactly at two minutes, everyone sat down together. It was uncanny.
 
Confused, I looked around—and then I saw it.
 
A wall clock, ticking at the back of the room.
 
Without realising it, the entire group had synced their countdown to the tick… tick… tick… of the second hand. They didn’t need to guess; the clock did the work for them. I hadn’t even noticed it myself!
 
So yes, lesson learned. For future sessions, I’ll check the room for clocks… and maybe even remove the batteries!
 
 
Deep Work
 
When you’re in a state of deep work, your brain shifts into a powerful mode of focus and productivity. Here’s what happens:
 
Your prefrontal cortex becomes highly active—this part of the brain is responsible for planning, decision-making, and focused attention. At the same time, your brain reduces activity in regions linked to distractions and mind-wandering, such as the default mode network. This allows you to stay locked in on one task.
 
As you concentrate, your brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps reinforce focus and motivation. You may also experience a flow state, losing track of time and feeling fully immersed in your actions. During this time, the brain strengthens neural connections, particularly in areas related to the skill or knowledge you’re working on. This leads to faster learning and improved performance over time.
 
The longer you stay in deep work, the more your brain adapts to sustained concentration. You train your mind to become more focused, creative, and resistant to distraction.
 
 
Several other fascinating things happen in the brain during deep work:
 
Myelin production increases:
As you repeatedly focus intensely on complex tasks, your brain strengthens its neural pathways by producing more myelin, the insulating layer around nerve fibres. This helps your brain transmit signals more quickly and efficiently, making you smarter and faster at the tasks you repeat.
 
Working memory is optimised:
Deep work helps your brain hold and process more relevant information at once. This boosts problem-solving ability, complex reasoning, and creativity.
 
Reduced cognitive switching:
In deep work, your brain avoids the “switch cost” of jumping between tasks. Frequent switching drains mental energy, but staying focused conserves it and enhances clarity.
 
Stress and anxiety decrease:
Focused work can reduce background mental chatter. Entering flow can quiet the inner critic and help you feel calm and in control, even during demanding tasks.
 
Neuroplasticity kicks in:
Deep work stimulates brain growth. As you focus and challenge yourself, your brain rewires itself, making learning stick and making future deep work easier.
 
In short, deep work isn’t just a tool for doing more—it’s a transformative force that actively reshapes your brain to become more capable, resilient, and intelligent over time.

As someone who uses Deep Work daily, I’ve experienced a significant productivity improvement. I can’t recommend it enough. It’s not just a concept I teach, but a practice I live by, and I’m here to share my journey with you. 
 
 
Thoughts for the week: 

1. When did you last work without distraction?
2. Is your environment helping or hurting your focus?
3. When do you lose track of time because you’re so absorbed?
4. Are you training your brain to focus, or to switch constantly?
5. How do you feel after a deep focus vs. a distracted day? 

 
Well, that’s it for this week. I’d love to hear about your experiences with deep work. Have you tried it? What were the results?  

Have a wonderful weekend, and keep believing.
 
Warm regards

John


https://jdmindcoach.com/product/off-the-wall-how-to-develop-world-class-mental-resilience/